Bullying may take the form of physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct.

The following are examples of bullying behaviour:

• Shouting at someone, being sarcastic towards them, ridiculing or demeaning others
• Insensitive jokes and pranks
• Name-calling
• Abusive, threatening or insulting words or behaviour
• Demanding a greater work output than is reasonably feasible
• Blocking promotion or other development/advancement
• Physical or psychological threats
• Deliberately excluding someone from meetings or communications or conversations without good reason
• Inappropriate and/or derogatory remarks about someone's performance
• Abuse of authority or power by those in positions of seniority

Distinction between bullying management behaviour and strong management

Bullying management behaviour

• Unjustified, excessive monitoring and/or supervision (micro-managing)
• Making threats
• Intimidating or threatening behaviour
• Physical and verbal abuse
• Aggressive communications
• Humiliating people in front of others
• Refusing to listen to concerns or opinions
• Addressing people by their job title or grade rather than by name
• Setting someone up to fail (e.g. setting a target or objective that cannot be achieved)
• Constant changing of targets for no justifiable reason
• Withholding necessary information
• Persistent, excessive, unfair or unjustified criticism
• Persistent devaluing of a person’s effort
• Ignoring people for promotion
• Unreasonably blocking requests for leave

Strong, fair management behaviour

• Setting and agreeing achievable tasks and goals
• Consistent and fair actions
• Giving constructive feedback
• Managing performance by recognising good performance and constructively tackling poor performance
• Sharing information freely
• Realistic about strengths and development needs
• Giving credit where credit is due
• Addressing someone by their name

Please note: the above lists are not exclusive or exhaustive.